Man Who Rosie O'Donnell's Daughter Was Staying With Arrested: Sources

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The 25-year-old man with whom Rosie O'Donnell's missing daughter was staying earlier this week was arrested Friday night for allegedly having inappropriate online communications with the teen, sources said.

Steven Sheerer was arrested at his New Jersey home on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and distribution of obscenity to a minor, according to police. His arrest stems from an investigation into a 17-year-old's cellphone calls that was initiated with the consent of the girl's mother. Sources said the mother is Rosie O'Donnell and the 17-year-old is her daughter, Chelsea O'Donnell.

Police said an examination of the phone showed evidence of inappropriate communications over the last several weeks between Sheerer and the 17-year-old. Investigators also executed a search warrant of Sheerer's home and seized a computer and other digital equipment, police said.

Chelsea O'Donnell, the daughter of Rosie O'Donnell.

Sheerer is being held in Ocean City Jail on $40,000 cash bail. If convicted, each charge carries a penalty of five years in prison.

In 2012, Sheerer was in a car with another woman when they were stopped by police following a two-month narcotics investigation. The woman had heroin and drug paraphernalia on her while her 1-year-old and 3-year-old children were in the back seat of the car, police told NBC Philadelphia.

Police also searched Sheerer's home where they found heroin, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Sheerer was charged with third-degree possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, third-degree possession of heroin, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was later convicted on those charges.